North Shore Views

New Lead Paint Law

Homeowners and contractors should be aware of the new federal lead paint removal regulations that will go into effect on April 22.

Contractors who work on homes, schools or daycare facilities built before 1978 and perform any work that disturbs painted surfaces (renovation, repairs or painting) need to get EPA-certified for lead paint removal by April 22 or face big fines (up to $32,500 per day).

They must also follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Common activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can create lead hazards for both adults and children. The new federal law attempts to significantly reduce childhood lead poisoning that can cause problems such as birth defects, high blood pressure, kidney disease, decreased IQ and learning disabilities. In 2008 more than 5,300 Illinois children had elevated blood levels.

For more information visit the Illinois Department of Public Health or call the Illinois Lead Program at 217-782-3517.

Tags: home maintenance, painting your home, remodeling & renovation

Keep the Critters out in the Cold

by Mark McCaffrey, McCaffrey’s Home Inspection

When the cold winds of winter blow, our thoughts turn to hearth, home and hot chocolate.   It’s time to settle in with a good book or a family meal.   Nothing can upset the harmony of the home more than the spotting of a mouse.  Married men must go on high alert devoting all available resources to the removal of the mice.  Warm-blooded furry little (and not so little) critters will poke and prod at our sanctuaries in their desire to escape the cold and enjoy civilized living powered by gas.  Mice, squirrels, possums, skunks and raccoons are hoping you’ll extend your hospitality by letting them ride out the cold winds of Lake Michigan under your porches or in your soffits, attics and crawl spaces.

Critters are scavengers and freeloaders.  They’ll gladly take the freebies from an open trash can and will gnaw through or knock the trash can over for a taste of your leftovers.  From the trash can they’ll check out the garage for bird and grass seed – a sack of grass seed can feed a mouse family for generations.   Nothing is sweeter for a critter than to feed at the family pets’ trough, feed and water the pets inside the house.  Finally if you have apple or other fruit trees the critters will camp out in your yard and when the cold comes they’ll look to your house for warmth and comfort.  Remove food sources and most likely the critters will go elsewhere for their sustenance and winter lodging.

Critters will try to find a way into your home.  Mice need a hole the diameter of a pencil to get in your basement, squirrels and raccoons will chew and claw open fascia boards to get in your attic, skunks and possums will dig under your deck lattice work to get good and comfy in a nest close to the warmth of your home.  You’ve got to be vigilant, critters in and around the house pose health threats, can be very destructive, and generally creep you out while they are in residence.  So take a good close look at your house, inspect it, make sure your house is closed off to the critters:

* look for any unfilled holes caused by utilities in the siding and foundation;

* check for digging around porches and decks;

* check gable vents in the attic;

* inspect the soffits and fascias just under the eaves;

* keep the tree limbs off your house;

* make sure there’s a critter guard on the chimney.

Critters are going to eat and keep warm whether it’s at your property or someone else’s.  So keep them moving and let them enjoy the someone else’s hospitality, so that you can enjoy the warmth of your home with loved ones and your invited guests.

Tags: home inspection, home maintenance, pest control